The Christian Monitors

This original and persuasive book examines the moral and religious revival led by the Church of England before and after the Glorious Revolution, and shows how that revival laid the groundwork for a burgeoning civil society in Britain. After outlining the Church of England's key role in the increase of voluntary, charitable and religious societies, Brent Sirota examines how these groups drove the modernization of Britain through such activities as settling immigrants throughout the empire, founding charity schools, distributing devotional literature, and evangelizing and educating merchants, seamen and slaves throughout the British empire - all leading to what has been termed the "age of benevolence". "Sirota's book delivers a brilliant account of the nature of religious power and ambition in the Augustan age. This careful, deeply researched, and lucidly written book provides a significant story, delineating how the elite and provincial clergy adapted in different ways to the pluralist conditions of post-1689. The work brings a further perspective to the existing high calibre scholarship of Geoffrey Holmes, Gareth Bennett and Jonathan Clark."--Justin Champion, University of London--Justin Champion.